Hooded gunman attacks sunbathing woman

A woman was attacked by a man armed with a rifle as she sunbaked at a beach near Byron Bay yesterday.

Police said the 39-year-old woman was sunbaking behind a sand dune at Broken Head Beach, on the NSW north cost, about 1.30pm (AEDT), when she was approached by a man wearing a balaclava and carrying a rifle.

The woman struggled with the attacker and managed to attract the attention of a passerby by screaming for help.

The attacker fled into nearby biteau bush.

Police searched the area extensively but the attacker appeared to have escaped.

The woman was shaken but uninjured in the attack.

Byron Bay police are appealing to anyone who might have been in the vicinity of Broken Head Beach about 1.30pm (AEDT) and saw anyone acting suspiciously, to call them on 6685 9499 (6685 9499) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 (1800 333 000).